About 1,000 students from across Wisconsin gathered at Resch Expo Thursday to learn about being a better leader, even hearing from former Packers players. PC: Fox 11 Online
ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — About 1,000 students from across Wisconsin gathered at Resch Expo Thursday to learn about being a better leader, even hearing from former Packers players.
It was part of a special event held by the team called “Empower.”
Students had the chance to learn different skills during the Packers’ Empower leadership event. It inspired students to be themselves and do good in their communities.
“If I can lead well, it’ll mean the entire school can act well, and that’ll mean we get a lot more stuff done as a school. We’ll do way better,” 6th grade Harborside Academy student Nash Strunk said.
“I’ve learned to be with the fear not to be fearless, and I’ve also learned to always help people out and not just let them sit in sorrow,” 8th grader at Milwaukee School of Languages Jordan Walker said.
The day started off with keynote speaker Darryl Bellamy, Jr. He said that it’s okay to have fears, and to embrace them as challenges to improve yourself.
Students also got to check out the Frozen Tundra and even heard from former Packers Scott Wells and Earl Dotson about mental health and online interaction.
“Don’t think social media defines the person you are, because it doesn’t. The people around you, the people that love you, that’s the only opinions that matter,” Dotson said.
Meanwhile, students worked hard packing wellness kits for Ronald McDonald House Charities — helping give students a tangible way to help families in need.
“Not everyone can say, ‘Oh, I packed food at Green Bay.’ I mean, obviously the Lambeau tour is cool and stuff, but this is one thing that I know can help other people,” 7th grader at Harborside Academy Lilia Cardamone said.
Empower first started back in 2015 as small events in Milwaukee, Madison and Green Bay. It has since grown to one large event at the Resch Expo Center, gathering students from across the Badger State.
Teens were tasked with various activities throughout the day surrounding fears they may have and found out something very important.
“They have a lot of the same fears and wants and needs and together they can do a lot. Really, that middle school age, they have the potential to be making change now,” Packers Community Outreach Manager Amanda Wery said.
Other groups like the National Alliance on Mental Illness and Pulaski Hope Squad were also on hand at the event for students.
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